I Dream a World

I dream a world where man No other man will scorn, Where love will bless the earth And peace its paths adorn.

I dream a world where all Will know sweet freedom’s way, Where greed no longer saps the soul Nor avarice blights our day.

A world I dream where black or white, Whatever race you be, Will share the bounties of the earth And every man is free,

Where wretchedness will hang its head And joy, like a pearl, Attends the needs of all mankind— Of all the weary world.

I dream a world where all Will know sweet freedom’s way, Where love is like a bird in flight And peace will find its day.

—Langston Hughes

• Langston Hughes